Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) drives around Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Thursday, May 30, 2019, in Toronto. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Toronto Raptors have started fast in their first NBA Finals game.
Marc Gasol made a pair of 3-pointers and the Raptors took a quick 25-21 lead over the two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors after one quarter of Game 1.
The Warriors and Raptors are going at it in Game 1! 💪@Raptors lead 25-21 after 1Q of action!#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/hQvuDuE4ee
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 31, 2019
Toronto’s first four baskets were all 3-pointers, and eight of the Raptors’ first nine field-goal attempts were from beyond the arc. It definitely set a tone — 14 of the Raptors’ 23 field-goal attempts in the quarter were from 3-point land, and 10 of the Warriors’ 23 shots came from long distance.
Stephen Curry’s first three baskets of these finals were, predictably, 3-pointers — giving him 101 in his finals career. He gave a courtside look at Raptors superfan Drake afterward after the first one dropped.
The @Raptors are out in front after 12 minutes of Game 1!#WeTheNorth 25#StrengthInNumbers 21
Marc Gasol: 8 PTS, 4 REB, 2 3PM
Pascal Siakam: 5 PTS, 3 AST
Steph Curry: 11 PTS, 3 3PM🇺🇸: ABC 🇨🇦: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/fGT5njeVtK
— NBA (@NBA) May 31, 2019
Curry led all scorers with 11 points in the quarter. Gasol led the Raptors with eight.
The first Warriors’ sub wasn’t DeMarcus Cousins, but rather Kevon Looney. He replaced Jordan Bell with 6:12 left in the quarter. Cousins was on the floor to start the second quarter for his first game action since injuring a quadriceps muscle on April 15.